Drilling and similar machines



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. P. C. STENUICK DRILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES Arr/jr,

mmllllllllll July 21, 1959 A. P. c. sTL-:NuIcK DRILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Oct. 30. 1956 Arry July 21, 1959 A. P. c. gENulcK DRILLING AND SIMILAR MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed oct. so, 1956 I @W4 MMM drry 3'.

United States Patent DRILLING AND SllVIILAR MACHINES Andre Pierre Camille Stenuick, Fontaine lEveque, Belgium 'Application 'October 30, 1956, Serial No. 619,303

Claims priority, application Great Britain October 31, 1955 2 Claims. (Cl. 255-45) This invention relates to a device for controlling the pressure which the operative end of a tool or machine exerts upon its work and more particularly, to a pressure control mechanism for drills and like machines.

In many operations, such as drilling, it is necessary that the tool exert a uniform pressure on the work and this pressure be readily controlled. Heretofore, some degree of pressure control has been obtained by the direct action of mechanically or manually driven screws, racks or Winches upon the tool. However, the control obtained was not satisfactory because no provision was made to accurately relate the movement of the motor advancing the tool with variations in the pressure exerted by the operative end of the tool.

Another means used to control the pressure has been by the utilization of a pistoncylinder arrangement wherein the piston under the action of pressurized fluid main-tains a uniform pressure between the tool and the work. However, with the devices heretofore utilized, it was still not possible to obtain precise pressure control and moreover, such devices were overly complicated, cumbersome and unmanageable.

It is therefore amongst the primary objects of the present invention to provide a compact and well integrated pressure control unit based upon a piston-cylinder arrangement which will not unduly encumber the device in which it is incorporated; which is of simple and reliable construction; which will reliably control the pressure or the advance; and which is readily adjustable.

A fuller understanding of the invention and the manner -in which its objectives and advantages may be realized will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: v

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drill in combination with a pressure control unit in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a slightly modified pressure control unit in combination with a drill;

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are sectional views of still another embodiment of the device of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another embodiment of the device of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, in section, of one of the valving arrangements of the device of Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring now to the drawings: The device shown in Fig. 1 consists of a tubular drill support or boom 1 in which extends a screw 2 rotated by motor 3.

On the boom 1 is slidably mounted a drill carriage 4 provided with a nut 5 adapted to be displaced along screw 2. A cylinder 6 is mounted on carriage 4 and in said cylinder a piston 7 is contained, the rod of which carries pneumatic drilling hammer 9 with bit 10, shown penetrating rock 11. The piston is powered by compressed air introduced into the cylinder through conduit 12.

Housing 13 mounted on cylinder 6 contains a chamber rod 18 causing valve 14 to open. The compressed air 2,895,715 Patented July 21, 1959 ice 16l having an outlet which is controlled by valve 14 The valve is normally maintained closed by the action of -spring 15. Compressed air is admitted into chambel 16 through conduit 17. A slidable rod 18 interconnected with closure member 14 extends exteriorly of the valve housing for contact with linger 19 extending angularly from rod 2t) which follows piston 7.

When pneumatic hammer 9 is in operation and the bit penetrates the rock, piston 7 and its associated parts move forward in the cylinder, the action of linger 19 upon introduced through conduit 17 is then allowed to pass through conduit `21 to actuate turbine 3 which drives carriage 4 forward on boom 1 by causing the rotation of the worm. Piston 7 is therefore always brought 'back to its original position within cylinder 6 thereby effecting -the lclosure of valve 14. l

By virtue of the above, the speed of the motor can be controlled so that cylinder 6 advances in accordance with the advance of the bit into the rock. Furthermore, extremely smooth functioning and accurate pressure or advance control are obtained. I

The device of Fig. 2 is constructed similarly to-the preceding device but is designed to restrain the forward advance of the drill into the rock rather than urge the ldrill forward as above. This device is designed for downl,ward drilling rather than drilling yagainst gravity as inthe preceding device.

In Fig. 2, motor 24 causes the drilling hammer 2'3 and bit to rotate by means of power shaft 25 which consists of tubular segments connected Iby joints 26. Additional segments may be added to the shaft as the drilling proceeds. Compressed air is introduced into cylinder 6 through conduit 121, the pressure exerted on the lower face of the piston being less than the weight of the drill, the difference being the pressure desired to be exerted on the bit. When an additional segment is added to shaft `25, the pressure on the piston must be increased so as to counterbalance the weight of the tubular member that has been added.

The operation is similar to the operation of the device of Fig. l, the steps being: the opening of valve 14 by lthe ladvance of piston 7 by the action of finger `19 against rod 18; the actuation of turbine 3 -and the consequent rotation of worm 2; the descent of carriage 4; the closing of valve 14 terminating the cycle.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a device wherein the piston is adapted to either increase the pressure exerted by the drill or decrease it.

In Figs. 3 and 4, drill carriage 32 having a grooved lower portion 321 is adapted -to ride on boom 31. Car-- riage 32 carries a power unit 34 consisting of va motor 35 for rotating the drilling rod 36. The power unit is mounted to slide on rails 33 of the carriage and may be moved independently of the carriage. A cylinder 37 containing a piston 38 is mounted on the power unit. The piston 38 is connected by a rod 39 to cross bar 40. A switch 41 directs the flow of air from conduit 42 to either face of piston 38 through conduits 71 land 72. This control device is shown in more detail in Fig. 6 and consists of housing 73 mounted on cylinder 37. Conduits 71 and 72 are formed within housing 73.

A cock 74 rotatably mounted in a vertical boring of casing 73 is provided with a central duct 421 in relation with the feed pipe 42 and with `a boring 75 in relation with the atmosphere. Pipe 42 is caused to communicate by a slot 76 either with va boring 72 or with a boring 71. According to the position of cock 74, the air led through pipe 42 may be introduced into space 51 through the path 421-76--72 and the air may be exhausted through 71-75. The air conducted through conduit 42 may 3 also be introduced into space 50 by way of path 421- 76-71 and the air may be exhausted through 72-75.

Finger 19 extending outwardly of cylinder 37 is adapted to move rod 18 comprising part of valve 14 situated on carriage 32. Members 15, 17 and 21 `are the equivalent of those of Figs. 1 and 2.

The `advance of carriage 32 is carried out by the movement of rack 45 which meshes with pinion 46 power'ed by motor 47. The operation when the pressure at the bit is to be increased is as follows.

The fluid at a pressure determined by the pressure to be exerted by the bit is introduced in 50 and moves power unit 34-35 towards the bit. The fluid causes cylinder 37 to be simultaneously moved. Due to the advance of cylinder 37, 'ringer 19 comes into contact with rod 18 and 'valve 14 is opened. The compressed air passing through pipe 21 causes motor 47 to rotate and carriage 32 is displaced towards the drilling surface with cylinder 13 and piston 38.

In view of the sliding movement of the carriage, valve 14 is closed and motor 47 is stopped. Simultane'ously, piston 38 is returned to its original position in the cylinder. The constant advance of the drilling rod will cause a further advance of carriage every time nger 19 opens valve 14.

In the case of drilling in the direction of gravity, it will ibe necessary to restrain the forward advance of the drill so as to counterbalance the weight of the tubular `members that are successively added. This is obtained `by moving member 41 to permit compressed air to ow into space 51 rather than space 50.

Figure 5 relates to an embodiment wherein the piston 60 is connected to rack 62 mounted so as to move along support 63. At one end of the rack, linger 19 is positioned to cooperate with the valving arrangement 13-17. Motor 64 operates the drill -and the motor 66 which produces the advance. Both `are mounted on a carriage 67 which moves along support 63.

The shaft 691 of motor V66 carries a pinion 69 which meshes with rack 62. When the motor 66 is at rest, the carriage 67 connects with the rack through toothed wheel 69. In consequence, the bit 65 is thrust on the rock by the adv-ance of piston 60 when compressed air is introduced into space 68. When the tool advances into the rock, finger 19 opens valve 14. The compressed airnpassing through conduit 21 causes motor 66 to rotate causing rack 62 to return piston 60 to its original position. The valve 14 is closed and motor 66 is stopped until the next cycle.

The advance movement of the motor 66 is in relation with the degree of opening of the valve 14 so that said motor follows the yadvance of the drilling tool while maintaining a pressure determined by the nid pressure applied on the piston 60.

What I claim is:

1. A device for feeding a power operated drilling tool into its work, said device comprising a supporting member which is elongated in the direction of drilling; a tool support for said drilling tool longitudinally slidably mounted on said elongated supporting member; air cylinder means longitudinally slidably mounted on said supporting member and connected to advance said tool support; motor driven advancing means acting on said air cylinder means to Iadvance said air cylinder means and said tool support together; control means for said motor of said advancing means; an actuating member -movable with said tool support and cooperating with said control means for energizing said motor to advance said air cylinder means in response to advancing movement of said tool support; and air supply means continuously furnishing a supply of compressed air to said air cylinder means, whereby a constant drilling pressure is resiliently applied to said drilling tool independently of the operation of said motor.

2. A device for feeding a power operated drilling tool into its work, said device comprising `an elongated slide support the longitudinal axis of which is directed in the direction of drilling; a tool slide longitudinally slidably mounted on said support, said tool slide being connected to said drilling tool to feed said tool into said work in response to advancing movements of said tool slide; an air cylinder and piston mounted on said tool slide; first and second relatively movable cylinders which are connected to said cylinder and piston and which are forced longitudinally of said support in opposite directions by air pressure supplied to said cylinder, the rst of said members being connected to said tool to advance said tool independently of said slide; motor driven tool advancing means connected to Iadvance the second of said members; motor control means actuated by advancing movement of the rst of said members, actuation of `said motor control means energizing said motor to advance the second of said members; and means for con- Atinuously supplying air under pressure to said air cylinder, whereby drilling pressure is continuously and resiliently applied to said tool independently of the operation of said motor `driven advancing means and of the advance of said tool into its work.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 964,605 Bennett July 10, 1910 FOREIGN PATENTS 509,356 Belgium Mar. l5, 1952 

